Gomen'nasai for not updating sooner! I got carried away with ...things... anyways! Here's the new chapter (it might be a weee bit short compared to the others but that's only because I'm also focusing on the other stories)
Disclaimers: I do not own Naruto or anything made by Masashi Kishimoto; I only own the OC(s) that appear in this story.
Stepping into the cozy living room she felt all eyes turned to her; blank, white eyes, two sets of big black eyes, four sets of warm brown eyes. Instinctively her chin rose slightly and she turns her eyes to the group, noticing how the twins clung to their mother and how their older sister sat next to the stoic Hyuuga. The two Green Beasts sat next to each other, the younger practically bouncing with untold energy as they watched the swordswoman. She didn't move from the living room entry, her dark green eyes roaming over them the only thing that seemed to move. After a moment she takes a step, and then another, until she was in front of the twins and their mother before bowing low.
"Arigatō." Her light voice was filled with gratitude as she kept her head lowered. "I am beyond grateful for what you've done… For allowing me entrance into your home… and for taking it upon yourself to wash my clothing. Arigatō." Slowly she takes a step back before standing up straight and offering a kind smile.
"Oh, Ku-Chan!" The mother blinks happily, most likely blinking away tears if her bright eyes were anything to go by. "You're always welcome into our home!" The swordswoman smiles and takes another step back before the backs of her knees brush against the coffee table.
"Arigatō again," She looks at the others before blinking slowly. "I wish to walk around the village if you'll allow it." The younger Green Beast, Rock Lee, jumps up with fire in his eyes.
"Yes! Let us be off!" He bounces past the rest and rushes towards the door, his body humming with excitement.
"Ah! Don't you want breakfast?" The mother questions, standing up so suddenly the twins tumbled out of the chair and onto the floor with yelps of surprise. The sword's woman chuckles before helping the twins stand.
"No thank you, Ma'am." She slips pass the concern looking woman and towards the door where the older beast held the younger from ripping the door off the hinges and where the rest of the team looked at them with a mild mix of amusement, exasperation, and annoyance. She saw it coming but was unsure what to do when the mother suddenly pulls her into a breath taking hug.
"I told you, you can call me mama!" The woman gushes, clinging to the startled swordswoman. Unsure as to what to do Kumo shoots a frantic glance at the daughter of the clinging woman, inwardly frowning when all she received was a grin from the Green Beasts, a slight frown from the Hyuuga and a peeved sigh.
"Ma, we gotta go." She was met with a small 'nuh!' from her mother before walking over and prying off her mother's clinging arms. "Ma, we gotta go!"
Finally the swordswoman was free and out of the door with the mother calling 'come back soon' at her back. While Rock Lee was exclaiming about the youthful life of Konoha Kumo was able to look around, noticing how men ogled at her and how women eyed her up and down with curiosity. She knew they were curious as to whom she was, what she was doing here, and most likely, if she would stay.
"-ain, my little youthful cloud?" The team leader practically yelled in her ear, pulling her from her observations.
"Ne? Gomen'nasai, Gai-sama, I believe I was lost in my thoughts." She offers an apologetic smile before Lee appears in her face, causing her to stop least she slams into the youthful male.
"Gai-sensei wants to know if you'll be kind enough to train with us!" He shouts, fire forming in his eyes at the thought of sparing a challenging opponent. She blinks, did she want to fight with them and deem dangerous? Would she put their lives at danger just to fill their lust for training? Slowly she turns her head to look up at the sky, closing her eyes slightly when a gentle breeze caressed her cheek before sighing. She would allow them to be happy for they are also trapped in this predicament along with her.
"Lee-san," She starts softly, turning to look at his blazing onyx eyes', knowing fully well what she was about to say would let loose the excitement he was barely able to contain. "Let us go train, yes?"
As if the god of speed possessed him he grabs ahold of her wrist, yelled a loud "Yosh!" and was off down the road before his companions could blink. It took less than a minute but soon she found herself in the middle of a field surrounded by thick trees worn from something, probably kicks and punches from previous shinobi.
"Kumo-san, we will spar as we wait for the rest of our team to show up!" He was practically oozing with excitement; she could see it come off of him in waves.
"That is not such a good idea, Lee-san," She smiles sadly at him, watching as the fire dims in his eyes slightly. "You would not wish your dear companions to miss out on watching an amazing fight?"
Of course she was lying; she had no desire to fight him but she needed him to calm down, if only a little, so his team could catch up to him. Once they were here she would do something, perhaps cohere their sensei into letting her examine her surroundings before fighting. As she watches the young spitfire pound relentlessly into a tree trunk she frowns to herself; how was she supposed to get their sensei into letting her out of the fight and still sound like she was being 'youthful'?
It was another five minutes before the rest of the team showed up; the Hyuuga looked ready to murder the youthful young shinobi and Kumo couldn't help but smile. In their own way they acted like a slightly dysfunctional family; even she could see it and she's never had a thing called 'family.' Gai jogs up to his "mini me" and claps him on the shoulder, exclaiming loudly how the fire of springtime youth burned in his veins while Neji fumed next to Tenten who tried desperately to calm the raging Hyuuga before he went on a killing spree. She watches them for a moment, a content smile touching her lips before she wanders over to a fallen tree trunk and sits down gently, leaning her back against the rough bark. She was still in their sight, she wouldn't risk getting the nice team in trouble because she couldn't handle being locked up; she would just have to learn how to deal with enclosed spaces.
"Maa," A lazy voice caught her attention and she looks up with wide, blinking eyes. Leaning over the trunk Shikamaru stares at the energetic group with an expression of mixed annoyance and boredom. "They sure do love to train…"
She couldn't help it; she started to giggle, causing him to look down at her with a questioning brow raised. She waves her hand dismissively with her right hand before looking back at the group that was stationed to watch over her; at the moment it seemed like they completely forgot about her existence.
"Tsunade-sama told me they were watching over you." He spoke blasé, as if it was causing him too much trouble to start up a conversation and her smile gentles, her eyes closing slightly when a breeze filtered through the area.
"Hai…" A thought accrued to her and she looks up at him, her gentle smile turning sly. "I can only assume that the lazy Kangaroo questioned who was watching me?" She got to watch with amusement as he looks down at her, his expression saying he didn't know wither to hit her or to walk away.
"Nah, the hold hag wanted to know my opinion on wither we should let you free or not." She knew it wasn't any use but she tried to hide her reaction and her eagerness when she asked him about what he said. He answers her with a shrug, slouching more against the log as he watches Lee attack Tenten with vigor.
"Honestly?" She looks up at him to see that he was studying her under his sharp gaze, she couldn't help but gasp at how intense his otherwise bored eyes were; she nods absently, she wanted to know what he thought.
"I think you could use some relaxation time here, you probably don't know what a stable village looks like with all of your wandering so you're unsure wither to help us locate the Uchiha." Absently he scratches his cheek before turning his now bored eyes to the sparing match.
She tilts her head slightly before shifting her gaze from the male to the spar, softly inquiring to herself as to what a stable village would look like; did one even exists? They sat in silence for the rest of the spar; Lee had won and was in the process of basking in self-proclaimed glory as Tenten was gently scolded by Gai that she should train harder. Kumo felt bad for the young weapon's mistress for a moment but then a frown pressed at her lips; Tenten's sensei was far better than hers ever was so her pity feelings dried up like a cup of water in the desert.
"Hey," The voice penetrated her darker thoughts and she looks up with cloudy green eyes. It took her a few moments of blinking but she was able to focus on the slightly concerned but mostly bored face of the surprisingly handsome young man.
"Hai, Kangaroo?" She couldn't help but grin slyly when his face consorts to an irritated scowl, she knew he didn't like the nickname but couldn't bring herself to feel bad. Kangaroos were known fight with their legs, using their tails to support them and their joey's were often found sleeping most of the day away in the protective pouch of the mothers. Shikamaru was both using things to his advantage and sleeping his life away, thus, he was a kangaroo.
"You're not a ninja yet you can hold your own in a fight," It wasn't a question more than it was a simple observation that led into his real question. "So how did you learn to fight like that?"
He watched as her expression turn from confusion, then, slowly, to shock; her pale skin turning unnaturally ashen before she turns to look down at her lap. He could tell from her reactions that the question was an unwanted one, the subject was off-limits and that only made him more curious.
"Kangaroo," Her voice seemed rough, ragged but he couldn't tell if it was from anger or from holding back tears; he hoped it was the former, he could deal with anger but, for all of his brains, couldn't deal with a woman when she cried. It was like kryptonite to males; it made them stupid and they'll apologize for anything even if they didn't do it, just so the damn water works would stop. "I will ask you to please not bring up that subject, it is a bit touchy to me and I do not think I am ready to tell you, or anyone, about it yet."
He grunts before said grunt turns into a yawn; man he wanted a nap but that old hag wanted him to get information out of her. Yawning again he straightens up; maybe he can get some information after a nice, long nap. "Whatever, it's too troublesome to ask something like that anyways. I'm leaving." And with that he was gone, disappearing as quickly as he appeared, leaving a quiet swordswoman to her dark memories.
Nya~ Nya~ The reason behind his nickname is explained! Kumo's past is brought up only to be shot down! Woooo~ *Notices how my roommate rolls her eyes and laughs lightly* Gomen'nasai~ I'm acting like a child and I normally don't...